ION News and Announcements

Summer 2012 MVCR term is almost here!

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 CST

Registration for the Summer 2012 MVCR term is open and there's room for you! As we think about June and beyond, please consider what you'd like to do next. Go to http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/courses/register/ to register. We have all the regular MOT core courses and a couple of electives too. Call the ION office 877.775.8345 or write ion-mail@uillinois.edu for more information.

Faculty Summer Institute 2012

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 CST

Faculty Summer Institute 2012
Leading to Learn // Learning to Lead // Leading Edge
May 14-16, 2012 ∙ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Register Now!

March MVCR Term

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST

The Registration window is open for the March 19 term of MVCR. We're featuring Universal Design, Copyright, and Encouraging Communication, with the rest of the standard Master Online Teacher core. Call or write the ION office +1 877.775.8345 or ion-mail@uillinois.edu for more information.

FSI Call for Proposals

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST

The Faculty Summer Institute (FSI) Program Committee would like to invite you to submit a proposal for this year�s conference, to be held May 14-16, 2012 on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

For more information about the conference and to submit a proposal, please visit http://www.conferences.illinois.edu/facultysummerinstitute

Proposal Submission Deadline: Friday, March 16, 2012

Save the dates - FSI 2012

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

Faculty Summer Institute 2012: May 14-16, 2012 Please note the new conference format: Registration will begin a little earlier this year at 10:00 am on Monday, May 14th, followed by a lunchtime speaker and afternoon sessions. This earlier start will allow for the conference to wrap up mid-afternoon on Wednesday, May 16th. There will be three conference tracks: Leading to Learn: Methods and Tools; Leading Edge: New and Emerging Technologies; and Learning to Lead: Theory Into Practice. The Call for Proposals will be announced soon.

MVCR Schedule Soon and Farther Out

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

On Tuesday, January 17, we're running the core of the MOT program and also featuring Quality Assurance, and our Global eLearning courses.
Coming in March, we'll also add Universal Design for Online Learning and feature Blended Learning for Online Learning,and Copyright, the TEACH Act, and Intellectual Property Issues in Education courses.

ION Welcomes Bob Jones University as a new Global ION member

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 CST

The newest ION Global member institution is Bob Jones University, of Greenville, South Carolina. Welcome to the Illinois Online Network!

ION welcomes University of North Florida as a partner in faculty development

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CST

ION is pleased to report a new strategic partnership with the University of North Florida. MVCR provides quality faculty development opportunities for current and prospective online faculty and training for teachers who hope to leverage online tools in whatever they do.

Congratulations to Registration winners from Sloan C ALN conference!

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CST

Congrats to James Mallory, Gale Allbritton, Kadriye Lewis, Bruce Collins, and John Ahern Jr. Your names were drawn as winners of ION's Sloan C ALN conference FREE MVCR course registrations. We'll be in touch.

ION welcomes Chicago State University and Governors State University

Thu, 3 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CST

ION is pleased to welcome both Chicago State University (www.csu.edu) and Governors State University (www.govst.edu) as ION Global partner institutions.

ION welcomes Dan El Institute for Higher Learning and Tennessee Temple University

Thu, 3 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CST

ION is also pleased to welcome Dan El Institute of Higher Learning (www.danelinstitute.org/) and Tennessee Temple University (www.tntemple.edu/) as new ION Global partners.

ION Director planning presentations at Malcolm X college and U of Illinois YMCA Friday Forum

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CST

ION Director Scott Johnson is preparing for presentations at the City Colleges of Chicago Malcolm X campus on Sept 16 and the U of Illinois YMCA Friday Forum Lecture series on Sept 23. The YMCA lecture series is also available on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/UniversityYMCA.

Crowd sourcing comes to IONs intellectual property page

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 CST

Thanks to the diligence and research of Cassie Tynes "the Lady of the Library" and her students, ION has updated the intellectual property resources page.

ION featured in OnTeachingOnline.com interview

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 CST

ION's director was invited to an interview with the OnTeachingOnline crew to talk about ION, MVCR, the Master Online Teacher certificate, and the new COLA certificate. Follow the link to the OTO blog and the interview. Note that it's the July 26 post.

Elluminate is now called "Collaborate"

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 CST

In the aftermath of BlackBoard's aquisition of Elluminate, the company has now changed the name of the product to Collaborate. There is no change in the function of the service. If you have questions or difficulties related to this change, please contact ion-mail@uillinois.edu.

New resource page on the ION site

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 CST

We added a new page to the ION site to answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

New Listserve for ION/MVCR

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 CST

ION is working on additional means and channels for reaching out to our members and MVCR participants. Effective immediately, we're going to invite all new profiles and MVCR registrations to the listserve. You will always be free to unsubscribe, of course. We hope the listserv will help spread the ION/MVCR news.

Illinois AECT Fall Conference 2011

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 CST

This year�s conference theme reflects the opportunities and challenges of teaching and learning in a world that is interconnected--culturally, demographically, economically, environmentally, electronically, etc. The primary goal of the conference is to explore how our interconnected world is changing and influencing our daily practices in teaching and learning.

COLRS at UIS to host Massive Open Online Course

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 CST

The topic is "Online Learning Today... and Tomorrow."
George Siemens, who co-founded the idea with Steven Downes, will participate as one of the weekly panelists. Cable Green may also be among the panelists. Glenda Morgan of UIUC will moderate one of our sessions. And, there are many others who are expected to be there - Curt Bonk, Larry Ragan (PSU World Campus), Bruce Chaloux (SREB), Phil Ice (APUS), etc.

Fall 2011 MVCR registration open

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 CST

It's summer, but believe it or not, we're already registering now for the August MVCR term. All the regular MVCR courses, plus Issues and Strategies for Faculty Training AND Web Development. Write to ion-mail@uillinois.edu or call 217.333.4393 for more information.

ION welcomes Morehead State University of Morehead, KY as a Global ION partner

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 CST

Morehead State has been recognized for the seventh consecutive year as one of the top public universities in the South in the 2011 edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S.News & World Report. MSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS). We welcome MSU as they take this step in providing online teaching training.

Summer 2011 Registration Opens today

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 CST

Registration for Summer term 2011 opens today. All the registration fees are the same as last term. Some fee adjustments will go into effect for the January term of 2012.

FSI 2011 Registration Information

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 CST

Faculty Summer Institute 2011
Big Ideas // Better Ways // Best Practices
May 16-19, 2011 ∙ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Register Now!

We currently have group rates at the following hotels, and they expire today, so don�t wait any longer to reserve your room!
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham (Champaign)
Rate: $94.99 Double or King
Group Code: Faculty Summer Institute
Perks: Free hot breakfast
Reservations: Call 1-800-527-1133 or book online
www.hawthorn.com
Map/Directions

Comfort Suites (Urbana)
Rate: $77 Queen or King w/ state employee ID
Group Code: FSI or Faculty Summer Institute
Perks: Free hot breakfast, free shuttle to campus, free wireless
Reservations: Call 217-328-3500 or book online
www.comfortsuites.com

Map/Directions

The program will be posted soon, so please check the website frequently. Hope to see you next month!

FSI 2011 Call for Proposals

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 CST

On behalf of the Faculty Summer Institute (FSI) Steering Committee, we would like to invite proposals for this year�s conference, to be held May 16-19, 2011 on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Please mark your calendars now!

The conference theme is �Big-Better-Best: Big Ideas, Better Ways, Best Practices.� The conference will offer Presentations, Headliner Workshops, Learning Teams, Discovery Labs, and of course, plenty of networking opportunities!

For more information and to submit a proposal, please visit the conference website @ www.regonline.com/fsi2011.

Important Dates:

Call for Proposals Opens: Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Call for Proposals Closes: Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Proposals Approved & Presenters Notified by: Friday, April 1, 2011
Conference Registration Opens: Friday, April 1, 2011
Acceptance by Presenters/Facilitators: Friday, April 8, 2011
FSI Conference: May 16-19, 2011

Don�t Delay � Submit a Proposal TODAY!

Closing in on the March 2011 MVCR term

Thu, 3 Mar 2011 00:00:00 CST

Don't forget that the March 2011 MVCR term is almost upon us. Featured this term are our Copyright and Global eLearning classes in the MVCR series. Call 217-333-4393 or write to ion-mail@uillinois.edu for more information.

Facebook Group reminder

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 CST

Remember that MVCR has a Facebook group: "Making the Virtual Classroom a Reality (MVCR) Alumni" for anyone who is interested.

Opening day of registration for the 2011 January term of MVCR

Mon, 6 Dec 2010 00:00:00 CST

Today is the opening day of registration for the 2011 January term of MVCR.
Come to http://www.ion.uillinois.edu and login to register for any of the 8 week or 4 week courses.
We�re rolling out the first time for QA - Quality Assurance and Accountability and AS - Administration Seminar, two required courses in the Certified Online Learning Administrator program. We�ve also got WD - Web Development, SN - Social Networking, BL - Blended Learning and the whole Master Online Teacher core (OO, ID, SA, TT, EC, PR).
mailto:ion-mail@uillinois.edu or call 217.333.4393 for more information.

Upcoming Presentations

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 00:00:00 CST

ION's Scott Johnson will be presenting on assessment and collaboration at Greenville College this week. In two weeks, he's presenting to the University of Illinois IT Professionals Forum at the iHotel.

October term of MVCR is open for registration

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:00:00 CST

Not quite finished with your MOT? Haven't taken an MVCR class for a while? Started a class but had to withdraw without completing it? Registration is now open for the October, 2010 term in MVCR; available at http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/courses/register/. Many courses are available: from the MOT core to Blended learning, Multimedia Principles, and Global eLearning. For more information - write to ion-mail@uillinois.edu or call 217.333.4393.

ION Welcomes its newest member

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CST

ION welcomes Celebrant Foundation & Institute as its newest institutional member. The Celebrant Foundation & Institute is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to training Celebrant officiants.
Certified Life-Cycle Celebrants promote the use of personalized ceremony to mark the moments and milestones in the lives of individuals, families, communities and organizations. Presently there are more than 3000 Celebrants worldwide, who have presided over one million ceremonies in the last forty years.

Welcome to Greenville College - ION's newest National Partner!

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CST

With a new president and new interest in taking the Greenville experience to its students online, Greenville College, of Greenville, IL becomes ION's newest partner.

Fall 2010 MVCR schedule is open

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 CST

Fall MVCR classes are open for registration. The full complement of MOT core classes plus the next class that contributes to the COLA. See the ION site for more information

COLA Program is part of the new ION

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 CST

The Certified Online Learning Administrator courses are under way and ION is drinking in the new direction. Online learning is a meaningful part of the new reality of teaching and learning. With the MOT and now the COLA, ION is still at the front. Watch for the next term - registration begins June 21.

ION iTunesU

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 CST

I've let the ION podcast activity wait long enough. Thanks to the iTunesU efforts of the Illinois CITES unit, ION now has a public iTunesU presence. Follow the link to subscribe to the ION Ongoing Podcast series. See you there!

New ION mailing address!

Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 CST

We're moving to the heart of the Champaign/Urbana campus. Effective June 7, send your ION/MVCR correspondence to: Illinois Online Network 807 S. Wright, Suite 370 Champaign, IL 61820

Still room at the FSI!

Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 CST

Faculty Summer Institute 2010 ∙ Collaborating at the Speed of Light May 17 - 20, 2010 ∙ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Register Now http://illinois.edu/goto/fsi2010

Welcome Fanshawe College!

Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 CST

Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology, of London, Ontario (Canada) has become the newest ION Global member. Welcome to all the faculty and staff of Fanshawe College.

MVCR celebrates first Vietnamese MOT awards

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CST

On April 8th, 2010, the first group of Vietnamese online instructors (OMT trainers and associates based in Hanoi and Dak Lak) officially received the Master Online Teacher Certificate from the Illinois Online Network (ION.)
In January 2009, OMT became a Global Partner of the Illinois Online Network , ION�s first global partner in Vietnam, thus joining ION�s mission to �... promote and build foundations for developing, delivering, and supporting online-enhanced education.�
Mr. Do Thanh Chung, OMT associate trainer in Dak Lak, who completed the program with straight As, shared: �The 12 months I participated in the Master Online Teacher certificate program was one of the most challenging but also most exciting times of my life. Never before had I imagined that I could take part in and successfully complete a formal training program in the US, half the globe away from my home, while continuing my teaching and consulting work in Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces�.
Experienced and certified Vietnamese trainers, relevant and updated contents, flexible and open training platforms are key factors that will bring the pioneering Online Management Training program to success, on the way to become the most preferred Online Training Provider for Vietnamese enterprises.

Summer MVCR Registrations now open

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CST

The day has arrived to begin registration for the Summer 2010 MVCR schedule. In addition to the core classes, we've got Blended/Hybrid; Copyright; and the "new-to-8-week-format" Supporting Students Online to offer. Check here soon for the Advanced Online Seminar listings too!

2010 FSI registration is now open

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CST

Registrations are open for the 2010 FSI. This year�s theme is Collaborating at the Speed of Light. Join us on the Champaign/Urbana campus for energizing forum presentations, workshops, poster and main sessions.

ION is a Social Networking Partner

Thu, 1 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CST

This is not a joke, ION is on Facebook and LinkedIn as MVCR Alumni and Twitter as UI_ION.

March ION Webinar - still space available

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST

Join presenters Bill Yarrow and Colleen Kestel-Branchaw as they tell the story of setting up an MVCR cohort at Joliet Junior College, the nation's oldest community college. JJC used this cohort to speed the completion of 26 master online teacher certificates in 2007.

Planning for Summer 2010 already?

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST

Due to the terrific response to early scheduling information, ION wants you to know that the Summer MVCR term registration begins April 19th, and the term begins June 7. Check the Online Courses: Schedule for updates. The fall term begins on August 23 (registration opens June 21)

2010 FSI Call for Proposals

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST

On behalf of the Faculty Summer Institute (FSI) Steering Committee, we would like to invite you to submit a proposal for the 2010 Conference, to be held May 17-20, 2010 on the campus of the University of Illinois. Submit Proposal http://www.illinois.edu/goto/fsi2010 The conference theme is �Collaborating at the Speed of Light.� The conference will offer presentations, hands-on-workshops, forums, learning teams, and panel discussions. Stay in the loop about details of the conference and other important discussions at the FSI 2010 Ning site. Important Dates: Call for Proposals Closes: Friday, March 19, 2010 Proposals Approved by: Friday, April 2, 2010 Presenters/Facilitators Notified by: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Acceptance by Presenters/Facilitators: Friday, April 9, 2010 Conference � May 17-20, 2010, University of Illinois Don�t Delay � Submit a Proposal TODAY!

MVCR March 22 Term registration opens Monday

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

The registration period for the next MVCR term, scheduled to begin on March 22, opens at Midnight, February 8. You can expect all the regular classes, Overview; Assessment; Instructional Design; Encouraging Communication; Tech Tools; Practicum; and Blended Learning. In addition there will also be the newly developed Advanced Online Seminar "Social Networking Strategies for Online Learning" and another class TBA.

Elgin CC Enriching Learning Environments with Technology conference

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 CST

The Distance Learning and CETL Departments of Elgin Community College invites you to participate in the second annual �Enriching Learning Environments with Technology�, a one-day conference for instructors, by submitting a proposal to present a workshop, information session, or course design showcase.

MVCR policy on access to courses in history

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 CST

The MVCR program now has more classes (in history) than the budget can support. Effective February 15, courses in MVCR.org prior to June of 2008 will be fully backed up and removed from the MVCR server. Your enrollment and completion records are not in jeopardy.

Blended/Hybrid Class now offered through UIS

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 CST

The Blended/Hybrid Learning class is now available for graduate credit through UIS. For more information, call Scott at ION 217-265-7722 or write to ion-mail@uillinois.edu

ION is to applying the GoogleWave to course development.

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 00:00:00 CST

ION is using Google Wave in its efforts to gather ideas and information for course development of the new Social networking and Quality Assurance and accountability classes. More news to follow....

Elgin CC Conference Call for proposals

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 00:00:00 CST

Elgin Community College Presents
�Enriching Learning Environments with Technology�
Friday, March 5, 2010
8:00 a.m. � 3:30 p.m.
*******CALL FOR PROPOSALS*******

Each concurrent session should be 45 minutes in length, and proposals should be submitted electronically.

This conference will focus on peer-to-peer sharing between instructors specifically on the design, implementation and management of quality technology in online, blended learning, and face-to-face courses. We are especially seeking faculty to showcase their experience employing technology to enhance learning.

Who should attend?
The conference will focus on instructional issues - therefore faculty, along with anyone who is interested in the implementation of technology into learning environments is welcome to attend. Don�t forget to mark your calendars to save this date!

Timeline:
Deadline for submissions: January 8, 2010
Selection Begins: January 11, 2010
Acceptance Notification: January 15, 2010

Suggested Topics (but not limited to � we are open to all proposals):

Web 2.0
Virtual Worlds
Instructional Design
Clickers in the Classroom
Assessment Course Packs
Retention
How to Use the Internet in the Classroom
Quality
Wiki�s
Hybrid
Podcasting
New Technologies
Social Networking
Online Student Support
Panel

How to Submit Your Paper Proposal:
Include the following information in a 1 page proposal:

Name, affiliation and address of each presenter
Email, phone and fax number of each presenter
Presentation Title
Presentation Abstract

Email Proposal To:
bbarnett@elgin.edu
Billie Barnett
Distance Learning
Elgin Community College
1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
Phone: 847-214-7945
Fax: 847-608-5479

Registration for January MVCR term opens Dec. 7

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 00:00:00 CST

Since the end of fall term and all the coming days off might throw your plans astray, make note now that registration for the January 19 MVCR term opens Dec. 7, 2009. Of course registrations will continue, as "seats" are available, through the beginning of the term. For more information, call Scott at 217-265-7722

ION Steering Meeting Thursday!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

The ION steering committee will meet by Elluminate at 11:00 am

ION website address adjustment

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Check your Internet browser bookmarks. If you have a bookmark pointing to www.ion.illinois.edu it may soon be broken. ION's website is www.ion.uillinois.edu (see the U in front of Illinois?)

2009 ION Steering meeting announced

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST

Members, Liaisons, and backups are invited to participate in the 2009 ION steering meeting online. An email has gone out to everyone we have contact information on. If we missed you, let us know - write to ion-mail@uillinois.edu

ION is on Twitter!

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CST

ION is using Twitter as another channel to spread Illlinois Online Network news.

ION and University of Illinois to present in Russia

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CST

ION Program Coordinator Scott Johnson will accompany Iris Stovall of the University of Illinois (past ION Director) to present a workshop at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU) in October. The Online and Blended Learning Strategies workshop is part of a partnership with BMSTU funded by a United States-Russia Program Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant to the University of Illinois.

Registration for October term to open Sept 7...all the regulars plus the newly rebuilt Multimedia class and the just released "Group Work Online" course.

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CST

In the October term we�ll have the regular favorites;
Online Learning Overview
Instructional Design
Student Assessment
Encouraging Communication
Technology Tools and
Practicum.

We also have the totally revised and renewed
Multimedia Principles course,
Web Design Principles for Online Educators, and
a new advanced online seminar, Group Work Online.

If you are interesting in Podcasting, you will find that you can still register for that until it starts on September 21.

Call the ION office 217-333-4393 or Scott Johnson directly at 217-265-7722 with your questions. You may also call or text Scott at 217-722-2093

Registration is still open for August MVCR term

Sun, 2 Aug 2009 00:00:00 CST

Registration for the 0941 MVCR term is open. If your August plans include one or two MVCR classes, consider putting those plans into action, by registering now for the classes you want. The electives for August are a) Issues and Strategies for Faculty Training; and b) Copyright, the TEACH Act, and Intellectual Property Issues in Education. Depending on which you take first, Tech Tools or Encouraging Communication might also be an elective for you. For Advanced Online Seminars, we have Podcasting (note the Sept. start date) and the return of Supporting Online Students.

MVCR and Webinar Registrations open!!

Wed, 6 May 2009 00:00:00 CST

MVCR courses are available for June term. Go to your MyION page to register. See also the May ION webinar, mLearning: presented by Scott Johnson

The Summer 2009 MVCR term is open for registration.

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CST

The Summer 2009 MVCR term is open for registration. Along with all the regular MVCR core classes, we have Web Design as an elective and three advanced online seminars; Time Management, Synchronous Classrooms, and the newest one, Mobile Technologies.

ION Webinar Series

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 CST

Dr. Norm Garrett will describe and survey the landscape of currently available technology tools for use in online or technology-enhanced learning. Participants will be better prepared to select and implement appropriate technologies to support teaching and learning, demonstrating and articulating the relationship between the tool and pedagogy and the features of the tool necessary to make its use successful.

This ION webinar is sponsored by the City Colleges of Chicago Center for Distance Learning and is provided at no cost to approved CDL faculty.

Faculty affiliated with ION member institutions pay only $20,

General public registration fee is $40/person.

Registration closing soon for Mar 23 MVCR term

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 00:00:00 CST

Registration is open for the next MVCR term. All the MVCR core courses are there, plus the Advanced Online Seminar courses Podcasting and Synchronous Classrooms! Register here on the ION site.

Enriching Learning Environments Through Technology drive-in conference

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 CST

Elgin Community College is hosting a drive-in conference on March 6 for faculty and instructional technology staff entitled �Enriching Learning Environments Through Technology.� Keynotes include Barry Dahl, �Teaching with Technology: Myths and Realities,� and Xeturah Woodley, �Now Is When They Need Us Most! Retention of Online Students in Tumultuous Times.� Contact Billie Barnett bbarnett@elgin.edu or 847-214-7945 to register or for more information.

2009 MVCR Schedule under construction

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 CST

Notice the MVCR schedules for first and second terms of 2009. Registration for the January term opens December 15, 2008.

Fall 2 MVCR Term Now enrolling!

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 CST

We're already two weeks into Fall 1 and Fall 2 enrollment has opened. We're featuring Web Development and Tutoring Online Principles and Practices. Contact the ION office for more information

ION Survey on FSI 2009 preferred dates

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 CST

Based on the survey run earlier this year, the ION administrator will take the following results to the FSI steering meeting on Sept 25th 7 votes for May 18; 3 votes for May 25; and 2 votes for June 1 Further, several ideas for topics and themes were suggested and they will be shared as well.

Registration for August term is under way!

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CST

MVCR classes due to start August 25 are now taking registrations. Register for the MVCR core, or if you are a CCC instructor, register for the CDL sections of Online Learning Orientation, Student Assessment, or Instructional Design. 2 course registration limit applies.

ION Steering Committee to meet

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CST

The Steering Committee will meet on July 16th from 10-2 in the Tranquility room on the Illinois Central College (east) Campus. Steering committee members and liaisons are encouraged to attend. The committee will meet the new program coordinator, Scott B. Johnson. Further, the committee will discuss and decide the future and direction of ION programming. Contact the ION office for more information.

MVCR registration is now open

Mon, 5 May 2008 00:00:00 CST

Registration is now open for the Summer MVCR session. After you register, an MVCR staff member will review your registration, and depending on your status, approve your registration, ask you for additional information, or place your name on a waiting list. When your registration is approved, you will receive an e-mail notification. If you need to withdraw from a course or have additional questions, please contact mvcr-registration@uillinois.edu.

Announcing new ION Program Coordinator

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 CST

Greetings everyone! I'm Scott Johnson and I come to ION from John Wood Community College with over 9 years of experience in Distance Education having been an ION Steering Committee member for several years as well. I am learning the ropes of the ION system and will be doing most of the ION/MVCR tasks that Michael and Kevin have been doing recently. Please be patient with me during this transition. To this end, please use the ion-mail@uillinois.edu address to communicate with the ION/Global Campus team. I'm really looking forward to working with you!

MVCR Fall 1 Courses Open for Enrollment

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 00:00:00 CST

There is still room in some of the MVCR courses for the fall.

May Webinar

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 CST

Teaching a language, online or in a traditional classroom, has come a long way from cassette tapes and workbooks. This webinar will feature some innovative uses of technology tools for language instruction. The program will be presented by Susan Manning, Ed.D., an ESL instructor at Waubonsee Community College and her students! They will share how they used digital audio, digital video, podcasts, and Skype to enhance speaking and listening skills. Susan will also discuss blogs, wikis, and other text-based tools for reading, writing and vocabulary acquisition.

June Webinar

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 CST

As we pass from the early adopter phase into acceptance by the masses, the number of instructors taking part in online education grows. Although qualified in their field, many instructors have no education in the methods of instruction or facilitation. Those that have such training often do not have any additional training or experience specifically in the field of distance or online education. But what should such training consist of, and what additional faculties of an individual help one to be a proficient online educator?

July Webinar

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 CST

This month we continue our Course Improvement series using the new QOCI Rubric (http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/initiatives/qoci/rubric.asp) as our guide. Each month we focus on one of the Rubric's categories and participate in a discussion of how we can improve our online courses specifically to that category. Third in the series is Student Evaluation & Assessment. It's recommended that you download the checklist version of the Rubric from the link above before attending the workshop. Come join us for an active discussion in course improvement specific to the areas of feedback, assement strategies, and management. Much of the discussion will be driven by the needs of the participants and examples will be given.

U of I Global Campus Interview

Mon, 9 Apr 2007 00:00:00 CST

In this month's Frontiers Podcast, Virgil Varvel interviews Dr. Charles Evans of the U of I Global Campus

ION Launches Frontiers of Distance Education Podcast

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 CST

ION's first episode in Frontiers of Distance Education was introduced. The first episode includes commentary and interviews from eLearning 2007 in Albequerque, New Mexico.

March Monthly Webinar

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 CST

Over the next few months we will be conducting a Course Improvement series using the new QOCI Rubric as our guide. Each month we will focus on one of the Rubric's categories and participate in a discussion of how we can improve our online courses specifically to that category. First in the series is Instructional Design.

April Monthly Webinar

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 CST

This month we continue our Course Improvement series using the new QOCI Rubric as our guide. Each month we focus on one of the Rubric's categories and participate in a discussion of how we can improve our online courses specifically to that category. Second in the series is Communication, Interaction, & Collaboration.

MVCR Spring 2 Courses Open for Enrollment

Thu, 1 Feb 2007 00:00:00 CST

MVCR courses beginning in March open for enrollment today.

Webinar: Synchronous Classrooms

Mon, 1 Jan 2007 00:00:00 CST

This Webinar will provide participants with strategies for using synchronous environments to enhance their communication with students as individuals, small groups, and as an entire class. We will focus on the types of synchronous tools, purposes for synchronous communication, preparing for synchronous sessions, and strategies for delivering them.

Webinar: Online Teaching and Learning Best Practices

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 CST

As we near the end of another fun filled year of distance education, we once again call upon all interested to come share best practices with the community. In this Webinar, participants will have the opportunity to share their own best practices with the group. The presenter will take the time to share some of his own as well.

Webinar: Instructional Design: Where To Begin

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 CST

Come join us for a workshop on the beginning steps to Instructional Design. In this workshop, we will discuss strategies for designing a new course using outlining and mind mapping skills. We will also provide a few example outlines and an overview of technology tools that may help in the brainstorming process. Finally, we will hold a raffle at the end for a great prize, but you must be present to win!

Illinois Online Conference

Wed, 8 Nov 2006 00:00:00 CST

Presentation proposals are now being accepted for the 5th Annual Illinois Online Conference for Teaching and Learning. Although not sponsored by ION, we wish to support their wonderful efforts. For more information, go to their website at www.ilonlineconf.org.

Submissions will be accepted through December 6, 2006. The conference will be held February 14-16, 2007. Please submit your proposal here: http://www.ilonlineconf.org/index.cfm?page=callForProposals

This conference is held entirely on the Internet using: live virtual classrooms, recorded presentations, email, web poster sessions, synchronous chats, discussion areas, and other Internet technologies. IOC was created to focus on issues and concerns of K-20 classroom faculty and related technology support, learning resources, student services, and workforce development professionals.

For more information, please contact:
Steve Garren
IOC Coordinator
Lake Land College
5001 Lake Land Blvd.
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-5459
sgarren@lakeland.cc.il.us

Faculty Trainer's Institute

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 00:00:00 CST

The Illinois Online Network (ION) will be hosting two full-day institutes for faculty and staff who are responsible for providing faculty training and support at higher education institutions.

September Webinar

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 00:00:00 CST

September's Webinar will be Introduction to HTML for Online Instructors. This workshop will focus on basic syntax and a few basic tags every online instructor should know.

October Webinar

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 00:00:00 CST

Designing/Redesigning & Evaluating Online Courses
Want to measure the quality of your online courses? At this workshop, we will distribute the QOCI (Quality Online Course Initiative) rubric and attendees will participate in a discussion on how to use this tool to design, redesign, and/or evaluate online courses.

New Pointer & Clicker Article

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:00:00 CST

Volume 7 Issue 5 - Increasing Online Interactivity through the Use of a Database-Driven Lesson , By Leaunda Hemphill & Jing Yu

Call for Proposals: Webinars

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 00:00:00 CST

ION is continually looking for quality speakers in our Webinar series. We currently have openings in September through December.

Registration open for fall MVCR courses

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 00:00:00 CST

Registration is currently open for the Fall term 1 MVCR courses

Registration open for fall MVCR courses

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 00:00:00 CST

Registration opens July 10th for the Fall 1 term of MVCR courses.

Course Management System Days for Illinois Higher Education

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 00:00:00 CST

April 18 - Desire2Learn April 19 - Sakai Project A number of Illinois higher education institutions are examining cost and implementation issues related to course management systems and are evaluating available systems. Illinois Community Colleges Online and the Illinois Online Network are partnering to bring Illinois an opportunity to review course management systems and see how institutions have implemented or migrated to various systems. Please join us in this opportunity.

Using WebCT Presentation

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 CST

Virgil will present at Morton College on advanced uses of WebCT including pedagogical effectiveness, academic honesty, visual appeal, etc.

Course Management System Days

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 CST

Illinois Community Colleges Online (ILCCO) and the Illinois Online Network (ION) are partnering to bring a series of Course Management System Days for Illinois Higher Education. This will be an opportunity to explore a number of platforms and become more informed about implementation of new systems, migrating between systems and handling course development and conversions.

FSI 2006 Call For Proposals Now Open

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 CST

CITES Educational Technologies and the Illinois Online Network at University of Illinois would like to invite you to present a forum session, hands-on workshop, or showcase presentation at our next annual conference. At FSI 2006, you can share your knowledge and expertise with colleagues from across the state, this summer in Champaign, Illinois.

Webinar: Creating a Successful Online Tutoring Center

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:00:00 CST

Dr. Iris Stovall will discuss methods of online tutoring, the challenges of tutoring online, tutor training, and how the for-profit tutoring companies impacted services for the online student.

Webinar on ION Pricing Matrix for Elluminate

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:00:00 CST

On Wednesday March 22 at 2 p.m. CST, ION and Elluminate invite ION Members to participate in a Webinar to discuss the current ION Member Pricing Matrix for Elluminate. Elluminate is a live web conferencing tool that creates a collaborative environment for remote teaching and learning. For more information, contact Michael Lindeman at 217 333-3746, mlindema@uillinois.edu

Webinar: Marketing Your Online Courses and Programs

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:00:00 CST

Marketing is one way to help you achieve success in enrollment. This workshop will demonstrate some winning strategies

Webinar: Simplifying Really Simple Syndication (RSS)

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:00:00 CST

Michael Lindeman, Director of Illinois Online Network, will introduce participants to RSS, what it is, how to syndicate, and its purpose in online education.

ION Resource Chosen as Best Practice

Sun, 15 Jan 2006 00:00:00 CST

The Center for Transforming Student Services awarded the CENTSS Best Practice Seal to the ION WebCT tutorials.

Spring 2006 MVCR Courses Open for Enrollment

Tue, 8 Nov 2005 00:00:00 CST

The following MVCR courses will open for enrollment on December 12, 2005: Practicum, Online Learning: An Overview, Technology Tools for Online Learning, Student Assessment in Online Courses, and Instructional Design for Online Course Development.

ION Blogs

Sat, 1 Oct 2005 00:00:00 CST

ION has begun blogging the world of ALN and Education. Current Blogs include Lindeman on Online Teaching, Virgil Varvel's Education Exploration, Kevin Johnson Online Ed & Instructional Tech, and Iris Stovall's Blog. More blogs may be added in the future. A wide variety of valuable information is available that we hope everyone finds helpful, interesting, and useful.

MVCR's "Copyright and Intellectual Property Issues in Education" wins WebCT Exemplary Course Project award

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 00:00:00 CST

The University of Illinois� copyright/intellectual property issues course is the first Exemplary Course Project winner developed for a faculty audience. Judges hailed the course�s graphics, organization and sophisticated use of the discussion tool, saying the instructor made a concerted effort to build a strong sense of community among the students. �WebCT gives instructors more control over the look, feel and behavior of their courses than other course management systems,� said instructor Virgil E. Varvel. �The discussion tool has all the features I need to get students to break the ice, challenge one another�s preconceived notions, and walk away with a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The tool is great, but it�s all about what you do with it. And WebCT offers many possibilities.�

Two New Advanced Online Seminars added to MVCR Catalog

Sun, 1 May 2005 00:00:00 CST

ION is proud to announce that we have added two new Advanced Online Seminars to the MVCR Catalog. To learn more about these new seminars, please click on the following links: Synchronous Classrooms http://www.mvcr.org/courses/C-CourseDetail.asp?course=20 Supporting Online Students http://www.mvcr.org/courses/C-CourseDetail.asp?course=21 Both courses will be offered for the first time this summer and are currently open for registration. Please note that the registration fee for all Advanced Online Seminars is $50 for ION Members. The registration fee for Non ION-members is $100. For more information about registering for theses course, please see http://www.mvcr.org/courses/

FSI 2005 Keynote Presenters announced

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 00:00:00 CST

Dr. Susan Ko and Dr. Burks Oakley will deliver keynote addresses at FSI 2005. The annual conference will also feature two keynote panels. One with the ION Staff, the other with Dan Balzer, Jonathon Finkelstein, Janice Kinsinger, and Susan Manning.

Quality Online Course Initiative (QOCI) committee reconvened.

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:00:00 CST

The Quality Online Course Initiative (QOCI) committee has been reconvened to continue its work towards improving accountability of their online courses. The main objectives of this project are 1) to create a useful evaluation tool (rubric) that can help faculty develop quality online courses; 2) to identify "best practices" in online courses; 3) to be able to recognize faculty, programs, and institutions that are creating quality online courses.